HISTOLOGIC PROCESSING OF THICK TISSUE SPECIMENS FROM CYTOLOGY SLIDES - A NOVEL TECHNIQUE

OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel method by which small tissue fragments found in routine cytology specimens can be processed for histologic sl ides without destroying or damaging the cytologic specimen. STUDY DESI GN: To develop a method by which small tissue fragments (microbiopsies ) are removed from cytologic slides and processed through paraffin or plastic, after which histologic slides can be prepared. RESULTS: In al l cases described, the histologic sections from the microbiopsies were of excellent quality. Microscopic examination gave additional importa nt information. Furthermore,immunochemistry could be performed on para ffin-processed microbiopsies. CONCLUSION: This method can be of great value in cytologic specimens in which microbiopsies are present, nor o nly in those cases in which cytologic information is insufficient for diagnosis, but also in cases with conclusive diagnostic information. R outinely applied, this method could make biopsies unnecessary in some cases.